Sounds like you were also unfamiliar with the stand as well. I practice with mine through out the year. I pretty much know what feels right and what doesn't. Had the top of my stand crumble last year , I knew it was going the second it started. It was pitch black out early in the morning and 3/4's the way up the tree. I've traveled and climbed with climbers I'm unfamiliar with, spooky experience, but climbing often really helps
There's a lot were careless about.